AUSTIN—Austin Water is asking customers in southwest Austin and Lost Creek neighborhood to boil their water prior to using it for drinking or cooking, until further notice. The boil water notice is required because water pressure in portions of the water distribution system dropped below minimum standards. Maps of the affected areas are available and will be updated at this link.
“This boil water notice is currently in specific areas and is a precautionary measure to ensure the health and safety of our customers. Austin Water has not detected contaminants in the water we are providing.” said Greg Meszaros, Austin Water Director.
Austin Water’s treatment plants are functioning normally. Even so, water use has far exceeded typical water usage and exceeded water production by 250 percent over the past 24 hours. Water pressure and water storage have significantly dropped throughout Austin Water’s service area in the past day.
The combination of burst pipes at homes or businesses, Austin Water system water main breaks, and increased customer demand from dripping faucets or storing extra water are creating extraordinary high-water demand.
To avoid additional impacts to water service, such as a citywide boil water notice, impacts to fire protection, or widespread lack of water service, Austin Water is immediately requiring mandatory conservation measures:
“We understand that customers are facing many challenges, and we thank you in advance for your conservation efforts to help us get through this unprecedented weather event,” said Meszaros.
Austin Water will provide regular updates at austinwater.org.
Additional information and Frequently Asked Questions about a Boil Water Notice are available at austintexas.gov/BoilH2o.
Official Notice Language
Due to a drop in water pressure below minimum standards, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has required Austin Water to notify all affected customers to boil their water prior to consumption (e.g., washing hands/face, brushing teeth, drinking, etc). Children, seniors, and persons with weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable to harmful bacteria, and all customers should follow these directions.
To ensure destruction of all harmful bacteria and other microbes, water for drinking, cooking, and ice making should be boiled and cooled prior to use for drinking water or human consumption purposes. The water should be brought to a vigorous rolling boil and then boiled for two minutes.
In lieu of boiling, individuals may purchase bottled water or obtain water from some other suitable source for drinking water or human consumption purposes.
When it is no longer necessary to boil the water, Austin Water will notify customers that the water is safe for drinking water or human consumption purposes.
Once the boil water notice is no longer in effect, Austin Water will issue a notice to customers that rescinds the boil water notice in a manner similar to this notice.
Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.
Due to a drop in water pressure, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has required the Austin Water to notify all customers to boil their water prior to consumption (e.g., washing hands/face, brushing teeth, drinking, etc). Children, seniors, and persons with weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable to harmful bacteria, and all customers should follow these directions).
To ensure destruction of all harmful bacteria and other microbes, water for drinking, cooking, and ice making should be boiled and cooled prior to use for drinking water or human consumption purposes. The water should be brought to a vigorous rolling boil and then boiled for two minutes.
In lieu of boiling, individuals may purchase bottled water or obtain water from some other suitable source for drinking water or human consumption purposes.
When it is no longer necessary to boil the water, the public water system officials will notify customers that the water is safe for drinking water or human consumption purposes.
Once the boil water notice is no longer in effect, the public water system will issue a notice to customers that rescinds the boil water notice in a manner similar to this notice.
Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.
If you have questions concerning this matter, you may contact Austin Water at 512-972-1000.